THORNTON ABBEY GATEHOUSE.

This is the largest monastic gatehouse in England; an architectural symbol of wealth and power of Thornton Abbey in the late middle ages. The gatehouse is situated close to the small north Lincolnshire village of Thornton Curtis. The gatehouse was built in a combination of brick and stone probably completed between 1377 and 1389. It was the main entrance to the abbey precinct, which was fortified on this side by walls, towers and a broad ditch. In front of the gatehouse is a walled approach that formed an outer defence to the building. The battlements of the gatehouse were once filled with stone sculptures of men hurling stones and firing weapons. It seems unlikely that the gatehouse served as a residence as it contains no kitchens or service rooms. The building may have housed the abbey courtroom and administration. After the suppression of the monastery in 1539, the gatehouse was preserved as the entrance to a house on the abbey site. The gate - passage is still hung with it`s original 14th century doors. Above the gatehouse are several figures of saints, the remains of a much larger display of sculptures. Some have been crudely repaired at an unknown date.

View looking straight to the entrance gate.

The left hand side of the walled approach showing the ditch.

This time the right hand side.

The impressive frontage showing the towers.

A - St John the Baptist.

B- The Virgin.             

        C- St Augustine.                   

D - statue of Christ.

E - Angel with the crown of thorns and a spear.

The left hand side of the walled approach.

The Entrance Arch.

One of the towers.

This is the most beautiful gatehouse I have ever seen and photographed. Sadly most of the Abbey itself is in ruins. It is an English Heritage site.

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SILHOUETTES.

Myself in Silhouette.

Cross.

Stained glass window.

Unicorn seen in Hull.

Control Room.

Looking towards Scarborough from Castle.

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CLEETHORPES BEACH DONKEYS.

The below words are quoted from an information board in the Pier Gardens Cleethorpes UK.

Donkey Work.

Donkey`s had traditionally been used for carrying heavy loads of coal throughout the UK. The earliest record of donkeys working on beaches in the UK dates back to 1780. They were used because of their gentle nature, quiet disposition and were often ridden side saddle.

The Nuttall family have played a part in the history of Cleethorpes. Their much loved, award winning donkeys have served the public for three generations. Gladys and husband Buster first brought the rides to Cleethorpes beach in the 1940`s, starting with four pitches along the seafront. The traditional seaside attraction has bought miles of smiles and pleasure to scores of holiday makers from far and wide for donkey years.

Gladys Nuttall.

Gladys, daughter of a miner was born in Staffordshire. She served her time as a land girl in World War II and as a nurse at Doncaster. Her health, affected by a spell in a glass blowing factory, bought her on holiday to Cleethorpes to recuperate where she met, fell in love with and in December 1948 married 'Buster'. They have three children, son John, a Farrier, also runs donkey rides and supplies donkey tack from Nutshell Farm Skegness. Gladys served as a councillor for more than 15 years and was elected Mayor in 1980 - a role she relished, supporting many local charities, she founded 'Cleethorpes' & Grimsby riding for the disabled' - patron: HRH Princess Anne, nominated Gladys for Avon`s 'in praise of women' award at Buckingham Palace where she mingled with royalty.

Donnas and Dudley the Donkey.

Donnas,H.Peterson is a local sculptress and ceramic artist, influenced by childhood memories of donkey rides on the beach and after realising that as yet no permanent acknowledgement of them existed in the resort.Donnas decided to create a sculpture of 'Dudley the Donkey' as a monument of appreciation in recognition of services provided over the years by the Nuttall Family. The statue was to be a surprise for Gladys and Buster, but sadly, on August 3rd 2011 before the sculpture was completed, Gladys passed away. 'Dudley the Donkey' now stands proudly in the Pier Gardens Cleethorpes in her memory as a lasting tribute.

The Plaque reads:--

A tribute to the dear Gladys Nuttall in honour of her services to Cleethorpes bringing happy memories and joy to many hearts with the traditional donkey rides.

Welfare of Donkeys.

Cleethorpes was very important to Gladys, she helped raise thousands of pounds for local charities and was a supporter of the Devon Donkey Sanctuary in Sidmouth, Devon. Founded in 1967 by Yorkshire born Dr. Elisabeth Svendson MBE, the sanctuary provides protection and care for Donkeys.

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